We are thrilled to have some of our newest products featured in two great magazines this month!

You can see our new Freesia-Blush Crib Set and Modern Berries Play Blanket featured in Palm Beach Parenting Magazine PB Picks Page, and enjoy the rest of their wonderful articles on their online version of the March issue here.  It’s a great magazine to take a look at… we LOVED their articles titled, “Baby’s Here: Now What Do I Do?” and “Exercising While Pregnant.”

You can also check out our Diaper Changing Pad Cover and Topper in the March issue of American Baby Magazine.  This month’s issue also has a wonderful article on how to soothe a crying baby: “Crying Times: How to Soothe Your Baby,” as well as a spotlight with a hip new mama: “Staying Chic with Rachel Zoe.”  Check out the online version of these articles by clicking on the titles.

A few months ago, I wrote a post titled, The Name Game, about some of the complexities and solutions of naming your baby.  As of late, I am reminded of just how many complexities there are!  Weeks away from my baby being born, I still whole heartedly agree with my earlier advice from that post.  The only problem is that I forgot to address one major issue in the dilemma.  What do you do when you can’t even think of a name? 

Truthfully, I can think of a name I would consider using… but not one more.  My husband hates my choice of name, and can only offer silly suggestions in return… so here we are…with a list that is blank.   I have found myself in desperation turning to cyberspace for answers…name suggestions…anything to help me out through this process!  Heavens, I audibly gasped when I humored myself by playing on BabyNameGenie.com, and the animated genie randomly suggested my one name choice as “the one” meant for my child.  Surely that was a sign…or, maybe not.  After this experience, I had to really come to grips with letting my desired name go, because when a genie couldn’t even convince my husband of it, I knew I didn’t stand a chance!

I’ve visited name generating sites  for suggestions, turned to lists of the latest celebrity naming trends, looked to 2011’s most popular lists, and read up on finding true baby name happiness…and  still… I am left searching. 

I suppose when it comes down to it, baby can’t go on forever without a name…and I need to be at peace with not having this figured out today.  Maybe I just need to turn my faith on a good old fashioned parenting game of Rock-Paper-Scissors to settle this dispute with my spouse…and just maybe I’ll get my name after all!  In all truthfulness, I do believe there is something to be said for meeting your child before choosing their name…and when the pressure is truly on…I’m sure it’ll all be settled. 

In the meantime, I’ll keep looking for my inspiration in the form of a Google search!

Are you also looking for a perfect name?  Here are some of my recent site-searches for some help on the matter (even if they don’t give you the perfect name… they’ll surely entertain you!)

Name of the Year

This website is naming entertainment at its finest!  The mission of Name of the Year is to discover, verify, nominate, and elect some of the most unique names you’ll ever find.  With chart toppers (all real names) such as Honka Monka, and Nojah Nimpson—you’ll quickly see what I mean by entertainment.  You’ll be shocked to hear some of these real names…there seems to be far more possibilities than I was even aware of!

Nymbler Name Generator

Nymbler allows you to choose several names based on your liking, and then it offers endless suggestions influenced by your taste. 

Baby Name Generator Genie            

Truly entertaining (and my only name ally at this point), this Genie pumps out name combinations to go with your last name.

Baby Center’s Top 100 Names of 2011

Browse 2011’s top picks for baby names, and learn about their popularity over time.

Article: 5 Routes to Baby Name Happiness

This Nameberry article confronts common struggles that come with naming baby and offers some viable solutions.

The Nameberry website also offers several guides and lists when it comes to choosing the perfect name for baby!

You can also read our earlier Name Game Post here.

I’m sure that at certain points in every pregnancy, we feel like we would love nothing more than to forever forget the symptoms and side effects!  However, now that I am on my second pregnancy, I find myself wishing I had a clearer recollection of how I felt, when I felt it, and when I hit certain milestones the first time around.  Of course I faithfully read all of the weekly trackers to update myself on exactly what is happening to my body… but I’m well aware that these are generic estimates. What would I give now to be able to look back at what my pregnant body went through… exactly when the nausea stopped, or when I actually broke out the maternity gear for the first time.  I am convinced that there is a chemical in the brains of mothers that washes away the harsh memories of both pregnancy and labor…and with even just a short three years since my last pregnancy… I have completely forgotten specifics!

Many new moms are using a pregnancy journal as a way to record and reflect regularly on the nine months before baby arrives.  This can be done in several ways, with several options to choose from depending on your personality, your own writing style, and your memory keeping preferences. 

From the day of my pregnancy test, I started recording pregnancy notes weekly in a blank journal.  This is definitely an easy approach that has allowed me the opportunity to write more or less depending on the week.  I have enjoyed taking a little time to reflect, and to really listen to my body as I embrace the tiny details of each monumental week.  For those of you that are more technologically minded…some mothers are taking their pregnancy to the online domain of blogging , making regular online entries-supported by digital photo to be kept electronically or printed as a book. There are also many published pregnancy journals on the market that provide an organized format for detailing your pregnancy happenings.  Some popular options to purchase:

:: The Belly Book: A Nine-Month Journal for You and Your Growing Belly

This journal is 100% devoted to you and your belly.  Organized by trimester, it provides pages for belly photos, ultrasound images, and other keepsakes.  Complete with prompts, there are plenty of opportunities for journaling.

:: The Pregnancy Journal: A Day-to-Day Guide to a and Happy Pregnancy

This journal provides daily fill-in-the-blank prompts, tips, facts, and room for notes and journaling.  It is a simple option that will leave you with endless details about your current pregnancy, comparisons to previous pregnancies, and your changing thoughts and opinions on carrying and raising baby.

:: My Pregnancy Journal

Not only does this journal come with space to record events and memories, it also provides space for storing memorable keepsakes.  With placeholders for photos, shower invitations, etc… memory keeping is enriched and organized.

I’m sure that whatever approach is taken to remember your pregnancy, like with most journals, a pregnancy journal is one you’ll be glad that you kept! 

If you follow the celeb world like I do… you know that Rachel Zoe is the ultimate stylist to the stars!  She styles big names like Demi Moore, Cameron Diaz, Kate Hudson, and Anne Hathaway (did you see her AMAZING Oscar looks this year?).   

I started to follow Rachel Zoe and recognize her work through her Bravo reality show, The Rachel Zoe Project, where I was fascinated by her insane lifestyle, and instantly fell in love with her distinguished good taste and style.  Not only is she the hottest stylist in Hollywood right now, she is also working on her own clothing line, writes an online newsletter (The Zoe Report), and is a consultant for Piperlime- Gap’s shoe and handbag line.  Needless to say…this girl’s got serious style! 

With all of this in consideration… you can see why here at Oilo we’re all super excited that Rachel chose our Cobblestone Taup Crib Set in her new baby Skyler’s to-die-for nursery!  Rachel was featured as part of ABC’s Nightline Special, Celebrity Secrets: Mommywood last week, where she gave a tour of her now famous nursery! 

You can click here to view a highlight of the special, where you can check out the amazing things (including our Oilo crib set!) that Petit Tresor Baby Boutique did to complete what Rachel calls, “Skyler’s Little Paradise.” You can also visit the Petit Tresor blog here to see how to get the look of Rachel’s nursery.

:: You can also visit the Petit Tresor blog here to see how to get the look of Rachel’s nursery.

:: To view the Celebrity Secrets: Mommywood special in its entirety, you can find it here.

Ever heard of a babymoon?  Maybe you’ve been on one.  I, for one, never heard of such a thing until after I had my baby. At one time, I think Babymoons referred to the time just after a baby was born.  More recently, however, it seems to stand for a time that parents spend together before an expected baby arrives…and it’s all the rage! It seems like every time you read about a celebrity couple who is expecting, there is mention of a babymoon.  There are websites devoted entirely to planning the ideal babymoon, and many resorts offer packages specifically catered to such an occasion.

All this babymoon press has me feeling a little bummed that I didn’t jump on the bandwagon.  I think it’s a wonderful idea to take some time as a couple before entereing or re-entering into parenthood.  What a perfect excuse for a luxurious getaway…one last hurrah before baby comes.  But, it’s just when I find myself dedicated to partaking in a babymoon during my next pregnancy, that the eternal realist in me kicks in.  Suddenly, the idea of gallivanting off into a tropical sunset doesn’t seem so realistic. With the limitations of traveling pregnant, not wanting to get too far out of proximity with your OBGYN, and choosing to spend the big bucks on preparing for baby instead, it seems that the hurdles of a babymoon put a bit of damper on things. 

I can see why I didn’t think up the whole babymoon idea on my own…there seem to be plenty of reasons not to take one.  But, the more I think about it…there are some worthwhile ideas behind the concept to seriously consider. With a baby on the way, there are some exciting changes to look forward to.  However, it’s no secret that becoming a parent might put a bit of restraint on your social and romantic life.  This is exactly why a babymoon is a perfect time to embrace spontaneity, to be fully present in enjoying some carefree time together, and to celebrate the coming of your child.  Obviously, taking a first-class vacation would be amazing…and if you can do so… I say go for it! But, if the jet-setting thing isn’t going to work for you, keep in mind that you don’t have to go far to enjoy spending time together. You can embrace your time before baby whether it is close to home or far away.  I say a babymoon can happen without ever having to pack your bags.  Catch a movie, nap, eat out, and do the things you love to do together.  The important part is setting aside time to be together…free from distractions…to honor and embrace your life pre-baby…and in anticipation of the wonderful arrival of your new life as parents!

Top Baby Names of 2010 (US Census)

 BOYS                        GIRLS

1. Jacob......................Isabella

2. Ethan.................... Sophia

3. Michael............... .Emma

4. Jayden                   Olivia

5. William............... .Ava

6. Alexander........... .Emily

7. Noah................... Abigail

8. Daniel................. .Madison

9. Aiden.................. Chloe

10. Anthony.............Mia

Choosing a baby’s name can be a painstaking process.  It is a common battle between parents that can last an entire pregnancy before finally being resolved. Do you go with classic or original? A trendy name or one inspired by family? Are you turned on to names by the fact that they make the most popular list, or turned completely off by their popularity? Over-analyzing our choices in names is a common occurrence among expecting parents.  It is, after all, one of the first big decisions that we make as parents for our kids.  Unfortunately, a lot of the time, our choice is driven by our awareness of people’s acceptance of the name, and our fear of getting an awkward reaction.  It’s a sad truth, but coming to the realization that not everyone will like the name you pick, will help lesson the pressure for you, and make finding a name so much more pleasant of an experience!

 Here are some other bits of advice we offer you when navigating through the Name Game. Firstly, if you really love a name… we say run with it!  Forget what other people say, and be prepared for the fact that no matter what name you choose…there will be opposition. Next, don’t let the magic feeling be lost just because you hear of other people who have chosen the same name.  You’ve got to be ok with other people wanting the same name as much as being able to accept when people don’t want it.  Most importantly, know that no matter the name you give to your little one…they will arrive and define the name in the most adorable way… which is ultimately reason enough for everyone to fall in love with the name too! If you are having a hard time even finding a name to love, try not to sweat it!  There’s nothing wrong with taking your time, meeting your little one, and then deciding on the perfect choice.  In the meantime, you can head over here for some ideas… best of luck!